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Definition:
One of many pseudo-scientific alternative medical practices, iridology involves examining the
iris of a person's eye in an attempt to diagnose a person's illnesses.

According to iridologists, every organ of a person's body has some corresponding
location in the iris, such that problems with the organ will produce corresponding
effects in the iris. Iridology was created in the 19th century by Ignatz Von Peczely,
a Hungarian physician. The philisophical and logical basis behind iridology was
expressed by Harri Wolf, founder of the National Iridology Research Foundation, in the
book Applied Iridology:

Now wouldn't it seem logical that through some creative design, or evolutionary
process (whatever the reader's preference), the human body would be equipped
with a metering device functioning as a gauge in refard to the health of the
individual?

Each of us is, in fact, equipped with just such a miniature recording screen - the iris.
Via the direct neural connection of the nervous system, impressions from all over the
body are conveyed to the iris. Thus is established the neuro-optic reflex.

Iridiology, as the study of the neuro-optic reflex is known, is the art / science of
revealing pathological, structural and functional disturbances in the body.

Is it logical that the body would have such a mechanism? It would only be produced
via evolution if it proved useful and produced a natural advantage in competing with
other creatures. There is, however, no reason to think that this is the case. The iris
is not accessible to the owner except with a mirror, and the accessibility to others is
irrelevant unless they know how to "read" the signs. Aside from the fact that most
creatures through history have not had the necessary cognitive skills, even humans
cannot do it unless they understand the complex system described by iridologists.
There is, then, no logic behind the idea that such a complex interaction between the
iris and the rest of the body would have developed among diverse species on this
planet.

Is it, however, a "fact" that such a connection between the iris and the rest of they
body exists and has been demonstrated? Although traditional stories suggest that Von
Peczely developed his system so based upon empirical evidence, no such evidence exists
today. At best, supporters point to anecdotes because no controlled, scientific
experiments prove their claims. It is true, of course, that the iris is connected to the
rest of the nervous system - but such a physical connection does not also imply
a functional connection.

Iridology is very similar to
reflexology
in methods and premises. In the United States, the person most responsible for the
promotion of iridology is Bernard Jensen. His book The Science and Practice of
Iridology has been a standard text on the subject since it was published in 1952.
Jensen has also demonstrated that iridology is, quite simply not science. In 1980
he wrote:

Iridology is based on scientific observation. It is the kind of science that cannot be
related through scientific tests, for it does not provide clinical information.

The above is, of course, just a non squitur. If iridology cannot be tested scientifically,
then it cannot be a science. If iridology cannot provide clinical information, then it
cannot provide useful health information. By Jensen's own words, then, iridology is
completely useless. In 1981 he further wrote:

Iridology can only be judged by those who use it properly. Iridology has not been used
properly by those who have criticized and say it fails the test.

This is a standard retort offered by those who practice various forms of pseudoscience
and nonsense. According to it, only specially "sensitive" people can detect the phenomena
in question and everyone else - those who don't see it and those who offer criticisms -
are automatically unqualified. This is a circular argument because, by definition, it ensures
that only believers will find the relevant data and nonbelievers will forever be in the dark.

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Skepticism & Critical Thinking
This is the main index for issues dealing with skepticism, critical thinking,
logic and arguments. The first section is Critical Thinking itself - how to think
about claims and arguments you hear, how to critique arguments, and how to
formulate your own arguments such that they are more likely to be sound and valid.
The second section is about Skeptical Investigations - the practical application
of the critical thinking skills covered in the first section. Here you will find
critiques of things like astrology, alternative medicine, parapsychology, the New
Age and more.